B. Academic Misconduct

Statement on Academic Integrity

When students matriculate at Tufts University, they join a community of learners, artists, researchers, and scholars dedicated to the discovery of knowledge and the creation of artistic expression. Just as membership in Tufts' academic community confers great privileges, so too does it demand serious responsibilities. The responsibility for full and proper citation and attribution underscores that current intellectual and artistic endeavors rely on the work of a far broader community comprised of intellectual and artistic predecessors in other nations, cultures, and time periods. In addition, members of the university community should pursue the attainment and advancement of knowledge with integrity and use transparent, principled, and ethical practices.

Academic integrity is the joint responsibility of faculty, students, and staff. Each member of the community is responsible for integrity in their own behavior and for contributing to an over all environment of integrity at the university.

Faculty Responsibilities

Faculty members and other instructors are responsible for creating an atmosphere of integrity and honesty in their courses, in their research, and in their other academic interactions. This is accomplished by:

Clearly defining expectations in course syllabi;

Communicating any course- or discipline-specific scholarly procedures to students;

Engaging students in robust ways; and

Reporting concerns about academic misconduct each time such concerns are known.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for creating an atmosphere of integrity and honesty in all assignments, class discussions, research conducted, and other academic work. This is accomplished by:

Learning and using proper scholarly procedures;

Scrupulously following directions and asking for clarification when needed; and

Engaging with course material fully and meeting the spirit of the assignment.

Academic misconduct is inimical to academic integrity and violates a core value of Tufts University. Accordingly, faculty and students are prohibited from engaging in academic misconduct. Academic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, inappropriate collaboration, academic dishonesty, research misconduct, and facilitating the academic misconduct of another. Academic misconduct can occur with the intent to deceive or by disregarding proper scholarly procedures.

Academic Misconduct Policy

Academic misconduct is prohibited. Academic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, inappropriate collaboration, academic dishonesty, research misconduct, and facilitating the academic misconduct of another. Academic misconduct can occur with the intent to deceive or by disregarding proper scholarly procedures. Students are responsible for knowing and using proper scholarly procedures. Faculty are responsible for communicating any course-specific scholarly procedures. Intention to deceive may be assessed by the scope and context of the violation. Disregard of proper scholarly procedure is a violation of this policy. Minor or accidental instances of failing to follow for proper scholarly procedure may be addressed with the academic setting. Faculty members are required to report all suspected academic misconduct.

Cheating is giving or receiving unauthorized assistance of any kind on academic work; having available, accessing, or using unauthorized devices or material during exams or other academic work; or failing to follow any instructions related to academic integrity provided by a course instructor, member of the faculty, or other University official.

Plagiarism is the use of another's published or unpublished ideas or work without full and clear attribution. Plagiarism applies to published or unpublished work or concepts whether or not in direct quotation or paraphrase. This includes use of text, musical composition, computer code, artwork, audio or visual recordings, data displays, or other intellectual work without full and clear attribution. Self-plagiarism, defined as submitting previously completed academic work as though it is an original creation for a particular course or other academic endeavor without instructor permission, is also prohibited.

Collaboration is valued at Tufts. Collaboration implies all parties actively participate in the academic endeavor. There are, however, aspects of the academic enterprise which require individual contribution. Appropriate collaboration within a given course should be clearly defined by the course instructor. If you have any questions about what constitutes acceptable or unacceptable collaboration ask your course instructor prior to engaging with others in a collaborative effort. Inappropriate collaboration occurs when students collaborate on academic work beyond the limits specified by the instructor.

Academic dishonesty is communicating falsehoods or misrepresentations related to any academic work, any academic policy, or any representation made to others about your contributions or career. Academic dishonestly can occur inside or outside of a particular course, and includes misrepresentations on resumes and applications.

Research misconduct is the fabrication, falsification or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. Honest error and difference of opinion do not constitute research misconduct.*

Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them.

Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record.

Failing to follow the policies, procedures, or directions of the appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB) in conducting research; and conducting research involving human or animal subjects without IRB approval are also considered research misconduct.

Facilitating academic misconduct is taking any action that a person knows or reasonably should know assists another person in violating the academic misconduct policy. This includes providing past assignments to others, providing or selling class materials to websites that sell such materials to students, and participating in the sale of academic material to other students.

C. Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy

Tufts students are responsible for conducting themselves safely, responsibly, and legally regarding the use, possession, sale, or distribution of alcohol and other drugs. Tufts requires students to follow state and federal laws related to alcohol and drug use; failure to follow the law is a violation of this policy. See Section VIII: Appendix to learn more about the health impacts of alcohol and drugs and federal and state law regarding alcohol and drugs. This policy is designed to promote student safety and create useful social guidance for a campus environment where most students are under the legal age for alcohol and adult marijuana use, and where the use of marijuana remains prohibited under federal law.

Students under the age of 21 are prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol. Students are prohibited from using false identification or making false statements in order to obtain alcohol.

All students are prohibited from engaging in dangerous, illegal, and inappropriate behaviors that result from the use of alcohol, including but not limited to driving while under the influence of alcohol; public intoxication; vandalism; behaviors that require an intervention by University officials or cause a disturbance; and behaviors that pose a risk to safety of self or others or endanger property.

No student or student organization may provide alcohol to individuals under the legal drinking age. No student, regardless of age, may possess or carry open containers of alcohol in public or in open campus areas. Open areas of campus are any areas accessible to more than ten people or that a reasonable objective person would judge to be open spaces; open areas include residential hall lounges and hallways, outdoor space, classrooms, and other non-residential campus buildings. Residence hall assigned suites or living rooms are private spaces for the students who live there and their invited guests, thus they are not considered open campus areas.

Drinking games or other activities involving rapid and/or excessive consumption of alcohol on campus or in University-approved housing are prohibited. Bulk alcohol dispensing sources (e.g., kegs, punch bowls, coolers, or garbage cans) are prohibited except at registered social events following the Social Event Policies; no student may consume alcohol from such a bulk source.

Events with Alcohol

Any large gathering (typically over 25 guests) where alcohol is present must be registered by the hosting students or student organization. Students and student organizations holding registered social events are required to follow the social event policies. The social event policies are designed to promote safe events for community members and help students and student organizations mitigate the risks of hosting an event.

Although the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has legalized adult use of marijuana by people at or over the age of 21 with certain restrictions, Tufts must follow federal law, which prohibits the possession and use of marijuana. In order to remain eligible for federal funding, including student financial aid, Tufts must comply with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.

Tufts prohibits the use, sale, growing, manufacturing, distribution, possession, or facilitation of the use of marijuana, products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the primary active ingredient of marijuana), and products that contain other substances designed to create a similar effect as marijuana or THC upon the user. This prohibition applies on campus, in fraternities or sororities, and as part of any Tufts-sponsored activities off campus.

Tufts prohibits the selling and distribution of marijuana, regardless of location or age.

Tufts prohibits driving while under the influence of marijuana, regardless of location or age.

Because the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act applies to the use of medical marijuana, Tufts prohibits the use, possession, or distribution of marijuana, including for medicinal purposes, on campus, in all fraternities and sororities, and as part of any Tufts-sponsored activities. This prohibition applies even if the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a Medical Marijuana Registry identification card to an individual, authorizing that individual to possess and use marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Students who obtain a registration card from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health may submit a letter to the Dean of Student Affairs Office requesting to be released from their University housing and dining contract. In such situations, students will be released from their contracts with no financial penalty. Any payments made to the University for dining services or housing facilities will be returned to the student in proportion to the remainder of their time on a University meal plan or in University residence halls.

Students and student organizations, regardless of age or location, are prohibited from possessing, using, selling, growing, manufacturing, and facilitating the use of illegal drugs, controlled substances, and other illegal substances, as well as substances that are used to impair, even though they may not be illegal.

Tufts prohibits the unlawful distribution, possession, social sharing, non-prescribed use, or abuse of prescription drugs. Altering, tampering, or forging a prescription is prohibited.

Tufts prohibits driving while under the influence of prohibited substances, regardless of location or age.

As members of the Tufts community, students are expected to treat one another with respect and care. In a situation where students seek medical attention for an alcohol or drug-related medical emergency, Tufts will treat the intoxicated students’ use of alcohol or prohibited substances as a health and safety matter, not as a disciplinary incident. This policy, which is intended to reduce barriers to getting help, extends not only to the student receiving medical attention, but also to the student(s) who call for help. Students are expected to actively seek help, stay with the intoxicated student until help arrives, cooperate with the emergency personnel and/or responding staff, and cooperate with any follow-up from the Dean of Student Affairs Office.

Students who report that they witnessed or are the victim of a crime or a significant violation of Tufts policy (e.g., sexual misconduct, hazing), even though they may have been under the influence of alcohol or prohibited substances at the time of the incident, will also be covered under Amnesty Through Responsible Action. Students who are alleged to have violated other Tufts policies are not entitled to amnesty for their non-alcohol or drug-related misconduct.

When a student has violated the alcohol and other drugs policy but is excused from disciplinary action by the Amnesty Through Responsible Action provision, the student will be required to complete follow-up substance abuse screening, assessment, or treatment as appropriate and educational requirements. However, no disciplinary findings or records will be created and no disciplinary action will be taken. When a student organization has violated the alcohol and other drugs policy but is excused from disciplinary action by the Amnesty Through Responsible Action provision, the organization may be required to notify its advisor, provide a substance abuse screening or assessment or educational program for its members, and/or change its processes for hosting events. However, no disciplinary findings or records will be created and no disciplinary action will be taken.

There are limitations to this policy and requests for amnesty are not guaranteed. Amnesty Through Responsible Action only applies to violations of policies relating to the use of alcohol and prohibited substances, and therefore does not preclude Tufts from taking disciplinary actions to address other serious or flagrant violations of Tufts policy including, but not limited to, violence, sexual assault, harassment, serious property damage, hazing, or the manufacture, sale, or distribution of prohibited substances. It also cannot preclude or prevent action by police or other legal authorities.

Members of the Tufts community are responsible for summoning emergency medical services (by contacting 911, the Tufts University Police, or the appropriate official) to obtain assistance and evaluation for any person who is in their room or immediate presence and is, or is suspected to be, under the influence of alcohol or other prohibited substances, when that person’s well-being and safety is known to be or reasonably should be known to be in jeopardy. When an individual knows, or reasonably should know, that another person is in jeopardy, failing to summon emergency medical services when it was reasonably safe to do so or actively preventing the aid of emergency medical services shall be considered a serious violation of this policy.

D. Disorderly Conduct

Tufts prohibits disorderly conduct. Disorderly conduct is defined as any unreasonable or reckless conduct by an individual or group that is inherently or potentially unsafe to other persons or property and/or conduct that interferes with the University's normal business operations.

E. Disruption or Obstruction of Community Activity

Disrupting or obstructing normal University or University-sponsored or University-hosted activities, including, but not limited to: studying, teaching, research, University administration and operations; or disrupting fire, police, or emergency services is prohibited. Disruption or obstruction can include disrupting a lawful meeting; blocking access or egress to facilities; obstructing pedestrian or vehicle traffic; creating a hazardous situation; or engaging in behavior that a reasonable person would view as substantially or repeatedly interfering with the instructor’s ability to teach the class or the ability of other students to benefit from the instruction.

F. Disruption of Community Well-being

Tufts expects that members of its community will not engage in behavior that compromises or has serious negative effects on their physical and mental health, safety, academic progress, or professional responsibilities, or that of others. In situations where student's physical illness or emotional difficulties effect not only the student but others in the community, the University will consider the well-being of the community as well as the well-being of the student when making decisions.

Tufts prohibits failing to evacuate during a fire alarm or drill; starting an uncontrolled fire; or purposely issuing an alarm in the absence of fire or safety concerns.

The use of fire or flames on properties subject to Tufts University control is allowed for indoor cooking, outdoor cooking permitted via a Tufts University Barbeque Permit, laboratory usage of open flame devices, approved use of ceramic kilns or welding equipment in the appropriate SMFA facilities, ceremonial candles allowed (per Code) in religion-affiliated venues, and university authorized outdoor ceremonies utilizing candles. Any usage of fire or flames not listed herein, on properties controlled by Tufts University must comply with applicable public Codes and laws and Tufts University Fire Safety policies and with documental approval by the Tufts University Department of Public and Environmental Safety.

J. Gatherings, Protests, and Demonstrations

Active citizenship, including exercising free speech and engaging in protests, gatherings, and demonstrations, is a vital part of the Tufts community. See Trustee Statement on Freedom of Expression policy in Paragraph H of Section X: Appendix.

Students engaging in protests, gatherings, and demonstrations are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with all applicable Tufts policies, safety requirements and laws.

Relevant Tufts policies include, but are not limited to, the following parts of the Student Code of Conduct:

Disruption or obstruction of community activity

Unauthorized access

Disorderly conduct

Property damage and vandalism

Students are encouraged to contact the Dean of Student Affairs Office with questions about how these policies (which apply to all Tufts activities and community members), may apply to a specific gathering, protest, or demonstration.

Logistical Support. Protests and demonstrations on campus are exempt from the event registration process that is otherwise required of all student events. Nevertheless, students are invited and encouraged to register their planned protests and demonstrations with the Office for Campus Life (OCL) so that the university can provide event and logistical support. OCL staff do not review or approve the content of the event, nor do they authorize or deny any registrations. OCL can assist with logistics like obtaining relevant permits from municipal authorities (e.g., permits may be required to close public streets for marches), finding appropriate space and overflow space (e.g.,
accounting for room/building occupancy limits), supporting a group’s audio-visual needs and making any safety or security arrangements that are needed for the event. Details of the event registration process and the form students or student organizations may use to register an event are available online.

Time, place and manner restrictions. All events on campus -- including protests, gatherings, and demonstrations -- are subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. For example, events that use amplified sound or cause loud noise are prohibited within hearing distance of residential facilities between midnight and 8 a.m. throughout the year and for longer times during reading period and final examination week each term. Details of such time, place, and manner restrictions are provided by the Office of Campus Life.

Certain large campus events have additional restrictions to ensure safety for participants and others in the community. For any campus event with over 25 attendees, the following additional restrictions apply:

Open flames (e.g., torches, fire pits, etc.) are prohibited from all indoor and outdoor spaces, unless the student or student organization has approval from the Department of Public and Environmental Safety, as specified in Section IV (H).

Wearing masks, bandanas, or other material to cover a person's face in order to conceal their identity is prohibited, unless the student or student organization has approval from the Department of Public and Environmental Safety.

Possession of sticks, clubs, bats, and other objects that may be used as a weapon is prohibited, unless the student or student organization has approval from the Department of Public and Environmental Safety.

Students who require a religious exemption to the any of these three restrictions should refer to the Religious Accommodation Policy, available online.

Failure to follow the policies and restrictions outlined above constitute a violation of this policy.

K. Harassment

Under Massachusetts law, stalking and cyber-stalking are prohibited felonious acts. Stalking includes a willful, malicious, and knowing pattern of conduct or acts over a period of time directed at a specific person that seriously alarms or annoys the person and that causes a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress and makes a threat with the intent to place the person in imminent fear of death or bodily injury. Stalking can be accomplished by mail, telephone, electronic mail, Internet communications, and facsimile. Conduct that does not include a threat of death or bodily injury is also illegal and considered criminal harassment.

The Tufts University Sexual Misconduct Policy has a higher standard which governs our community related to physical stalking and cyberstalking. The Office of Equal Opportunity’s Sexual Misconduct policy defines stalking as persistent, unwanted or unwelcome and repeated course of conduct that would cause a reasonable person to become fearful for the person’s safety or the safety of another, or suffer substantial emotional distress. There does not need to be a threat or intent to harm another person according to the definition of stalking as defined in the Sexual Misconduct policy. For more information about this and for examples of stalking conduct please see Section E of the sexual misconduct policy, which is available online.

Tufts University Police, the Office of Equal Opportunity, and the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs can explain the options for pursuing court proceedings or internal disciplinary action for stalking and other forms of sexual misconduct.

L. Hate Crimes and Bias-Motivated Violations

Any violation of university policy that was motivated in whole or in part by the offender’s bias against the victim’s perceived or actual race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression including a transgender identity, genetics, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law, is considered a bias-motivated violation. A bias-motivated violation is not a separate policy violation but is the violation of another policy that was motivated by the offender’s bias. In cases where there is a bias-motivated violation, the conduct officer or hearing panel will take the bias motivation into consideration when sanctioning.

In some instances, a bias-motivation will also constitute a violation of the non-discrimination policy. In cases where there is a non-discrimination policy violation and referral from OEO, the conduct officer or hearing panel will accept the policy violation documentation from OEO, including any bias-motivated violation, into consideration when sanctioning.

M. Hazing

Tufts prohibits hazing. Hazing is any activity that humiliates, degrades, or endangers the mental or physical health of someone because that person is joining or continuing membership in a group, team, or organization. Hazing is prohibited regardless of the person's willingness to participate in the activity.

Hazing includes all behaviors that violate Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Sections 17-19 (reproduced in their entirety below).

Endangering mental health is defined as sleep deprivation, extended isolation, public degradation, intimidation, creation of artificial and excessive stress, public nudity, and other comparable behaviors that are reasonably likely to or do cause a significant degree of distress, humiliation, anguish, or interference with academic, professional, or personal pursuits.

Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts and constitute hazing as prohibited by this policy. Students and other members of the University community are required to report incidents of hazing that they witness or for which they were present. Incidents of hazing shall be reported to Tufts University Police and the Dean of Student Affairs Office. Failure to report incidents of hazing is a violation of this policy and, in some cases, is a violation of Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 269 Section 18).

Any retaliation or threats to retaliate against any person who reports, is a witness to, is involved with, or cooperates with the investigation of hazing is strictly prohibited.

All groups, teams, and organizations are required to provide annual notice to all members about the University's hazing policy and state hazing law, and to certify that they have done so to the Office for Campus Life, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, or Dean of Student Affairs Office by established deadlines annually.

Research on hazing suggests the behavior exists on a spectrum ranging from intimidation to harassment to violent hazing. Prohibited forms of hazing include but are not limited to:

1. Intimidation Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new members and other members of the group or community. This is termed “intimidation hazing” because these types of hazing are often taken for granted or accepted as “harmless” or meaningless. Intimidation hazing typically involves activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect and place new members on the receiving end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics. Members often feel the need to endure intimidation hazing to feel like part of the group or community.

Examples of intimidation hazing include but are not limited to:

Deception

Silence periods

Deprivation of privileges

Social isolation

Name calling

Assignment of duties not assigned to other members

2. Harassment Hazing: Behaviors that cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort in order to feel like part of the group. Harassment hazing often confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress.

Examples of harassment hazing include but are not limited to:

Verbal abuse

Threats or implied threats

Sexual simulations

Requiring situationally inappropriate attire

Sleep deprivation

3. Violent Hazing: Behaviors that do or could cause physical or psychological harm.

Examples of violent hazing include but are not limited to:

Placing students in the shower against their will

Forced or coerced alcohol or other drug consumption

Forced or coerced sexual acts

Beating

Paddling, or other forms of assault

Forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances

Bondage

Kidnapping

Expected participation in illegal activity.

The sanction of disciplinary suspension or disciplinary expulsion will be strongly considered for students and student organization found responsible for harassment and violent hazing and for situations where respondents use deception or collude with others to obstruct a hazing investigation.

Massachusetts General Law 269, Sections 17, 18, and 19 prohibits hazing and imposes criminal penalties not only on those who organize and carry out hazing, but also on those who are present at the hazing and fail to report it:

Massachusetts General Law 269

Section 17 Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing, as defined herein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.

The term “hazing” as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.

Section 18 Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.

Section 19 Each institution of secondary education and each public and private institution of post secondary education shall issue to every student group, student team or student organization which is part of such institution or is recognized by the institution or permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities or is known by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group, student team or student organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen; provided, however, that an institution’s compliance with this section’s requirements that an institution issue copies of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations shall not constitute evidence of the institution’s recognition or endorsement of said unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations.

Each such group, team or organization shall distribute a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to each of its members, plebes, pledges or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team or organization, acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually, to the institution an attested acknowledgement stating that such group, team or organization has received a copy of this section and said sections seventeen and eighteen, that each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants has received a copy of sections seventeen and eighteen, and that such group, team or organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.

Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall, at least annually, before or at the start of enrollment, deliver to each person who enrolls as a full time student in such institution a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.

Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall file, at least annually, a report with the board of higher education and in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, certifying that such institution has complied with its responsibility to inform student groups, teams or organizations and to notify each full time student enrolled by it of the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen and also certifying that said institution has adopted a disciplinary policy with regard to the organizers and participants of hazing, and that such policy has been set forth with appropriate emphasis in the student handbook or similar means of communicating the institution’s policies to its students. The board of higher education and, in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education shall promulgate regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution which fails to make such report.

N. Non-Discrimination

O. Off-Campus Disturbances

Students are expected to be good neighbors when living off campus in our local communities. Behavior that causes a neighborhood disturbance or violates local ordinances is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to creating excessive sound and vibration, hosting a number of people in excess of the capacity of your building, improper care for pets that causes a disturbance, or failing to maintain your residence in a habitable condition is prohibited by University policy and local laws.

P. Physical Abuse and Reckless Endangerment

Physical abuse of others and physical abuse of oneself that negatively affects others are prohibited. Reckless endangerment of oneself or others is prohibited. Physical abuse is violence of any nature against any person; fighting; assault; battery; the use or brandishing of a knife, gun, or other weapon with the intent, effect, or reasonable possibility of injuring any person; restraining or transporting someone against their will; or any action that threatens or endangers the physical health or safety of any person or causes reasonable apprehension of such harm. Reckless endangerment is conduct that could reasonably and foreseeably result in physical injury even if no injury actually occurs.

R. Public Nudity

Students are generally prohibited from engaging in acts of public nudity and public urination. Public nudity is nakedness or exposure of one's intimate parts, such as genitalia, groin, breast and/or buttocks in an open area of campus or public area or exposure that is visible from an open area of campus or public area. Public nudity includes acts such as streaking, public urination, and nude sunbathing. Open areas of campus are any areas accessible to more than ten people or that a reasonable objective person would judge to be open spaces, such as residential hall lounges and hallways, outdoor space, classrooms, and other non-residential campus buildings.

There are some circumstances in which exposure of one’s intimate parts may be permissible and appropriate, such as nude modeling for a fine arts class, certain art or drama performances, or nursing mothers who are breastfeeding. Such activities do not constitute public nudity under this policy. For more information on the University’s resources for nursing mothers, please review the University's Policy for Nursing Mothers.

Conversely, there are some circumstances in which exposing one’s intimate parts may constitute more than mere public nudity and will, instead, become a violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy. When the exposure is sexual in nature (i.e., flashing, masturbating) and/or is targeted at a specific individual or group of individuals without their consent, then the act of public nudity will be considered Indecent Exposure, which is a violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy. Indecent Exposure may, but does not necessarily have to, include a sexual act.

S. Retaliation

Retaliation by individual students, groups of students, or student organizations is prohibited. Retaliation is a serious adverse action taken against an individual for reporting behavior that may be prohibited by law or policy or participating in an investigation or resolution process related to an allegation of misconduct. Retaliation is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create a work or academic environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive and that adversely affects the victim’s educational, work, or living environment.

T. Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct is prohibited. Tufts has an affirmative consent policy which means students engaging in sexual interactions with others must give and receive affirmative consent for a sexual interaction to be consensual. Sexual misconduct includes sex and gender discrimination, sexual and sex- and gender-based harassment; sexual assault and rape; sexual exploitation; stalking; relationship violence (including domestic and dating violence), and retaliation for reporting or involvement in any of the above conduct. The full sexual misconduct policy and procedures for adjudication are available online from the Office of Equal Opportunity.

U. Smoking

Students are prohibited from smoking any substance in all University indoor spaces, all University facilities, University residences, fraternities, or sororities, and all other areas designated as smoke-free. Smoking includes but is not limited to use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, and personal vaporizers or other devices associated with vaping.

V. Theft

Theft and possession of stolen property are prohibited. Theft is the unauthorized taking of property. Possessing stolen property occurs when a student or students know or reasonably should have known that property in their possession was obtained through theft.

W. Threats

Threats, intimidation, coercion, and other verbal or physical conduct that can be reasonably construed as an expression of an intent to endanger the mental or physical health or safety of any person is prohibited, when such conduct is persistent, severe, or pervasive and is subjectively threatening to the complainant and objectively threatening to a reasonable person. Threats, intimidation, coercion, and other threatening conduct can occur in person, by phone, through third parties, online, or in other venues.

X. Unauthorized Access

Tufts students are expected to exercise respect for the property of others, including the University.

Tufts prohibits students from unauthorized entry into or use of any buildings, roofs, property, or housing, including University property and private property belonging to others. Unauthorized access is being present in any area that is posted to prohibit unauthorized access, that is locked to prohibit unauthorized access, or that a reasonable individual knows or should know is considered a private and/or unauthorized area.

Unauthorized entry includes breaking and entering or entering an access-restricted area by circumventing established security procedures (e.g., using another person's credentials, tailgating authorized individuals into a restricted area).

Tufts prohibits unauthorized possession or duplication of means of access to any University building, including keys or ID cards.

All University roofs are prohibited areas unless a person has obtained specific written authorization from the Facilities Services Department and follows the specifications of the Fall Prevention Program.

Y. Unauthorized Recording

Making or attempting to make audio, video, or photographic recordings of a person who has a reasonable expectation of privacy without (1) that person's consent, or (2) authorization under the Tufts video security policy is prohibited. Disseminating such recordings is also prohibited. People have an expectation of privacy in private areas such as locker rooms, residence hall rooms, and restrooms; and a person has an expectation of privacy if they ask not to be recorded even if they are in a public area. Tufts prohibits unauthorized recording of administrative or faculty meetings; to record a meeting, a student must obtain consent of all recorded parties. Malicious or negligent disclosure of private personal information also is prohibited.

AA. Weapons and Violence-Free University

No individual other than a Tufts University police officer or other authorized law enforcement officer may possess, carry, store, use, or have in their custody or control, a firearm or other weapon anywhere on the campus grounds or in any campus building. This policy includes, but is not limited to, firearms of any nature including: shotguns, rifles, pistols and revolvers, paint ball guns, or BB/pellet guns; firearm replicas; ammunition; martial arts-type weapons; explosives (including fireworks); bows, crossbows, arrows; slingshots; switchblade knives, double-edged knives, hunting (fixed-blade)-style knives of any length, throwing knives, or folding (pocket-style) knives with a blade length of four inches or greater; swords; axes; mace, pepper gas/spray, and other dangerous chemicals; or any other destructive device or instrument that may be used to do bodily injury or damage to property. Temporary exemption to this policy may be granted only by the Tufts University Police Department, (617-627-3030) for educational or demonstration purposes. Weapons will be confiscated by the University Police and violators may be subject to criminal prosecution and/or referral for college disciplinary action, possibly including suspension or expulsion.

Tufts is committed to maintaining an environment in which individuals are safe to learn, work, and live. In support of this commitment, we affirm that Tufts will not tolerate violence or threats of violence anywhere on its campuses or in connection with university-sponsored programs.